by: Miguel Matos
I know it's such a cliché to make a list of the top whatever, but I confess I can't resist it. Whenever someone posts anything like this I am obliged to read it, even if it's only to disagree with them. Being a fragrance addict, a fume snob and a vintage collector, I rarely wear mainstream fragrances or drugstore counter scents. Ok, I am lying! I have my guilty pleasures and many times I find myself thinking that there are a lot of budget perfumes that smell as good (and sometimes even better) than expensive niche offerings. After all the holidays expenditure, these are some smells you can still indulge yourself without ruining your budget. And here's a nonpretentious list of my personal favorites.
My favorite amber after Akkad by Lubin, but for 10 euros (50 ml), this is an absolute winner. For amber lovers, it doesn't get much better than this. The classic amber note without distractions. There's no need for a description since this is all you need if you crave amber and nothing else. Great sillage and very decent longevity. The Solinotes brand is a miracle line, offering a lot of wonders for a ridiculous price. This one is always sold out so get it now if you find it. It took me a year and some trips to France and Italy to get it.
Dirty animalic amber with a strong virginia cedarwood bite. Reminiscent of the classic ambergris accord, but I'm sure there's not a drop of it here, for it costs only 27 euros for a 30 ml bottle. Huge staying power and massive sillage. This is one for the vintage and oriental lovers that require a strong cloud of scent around them. It's also one of the most erotic perfumes I know. Cousin scent: Perris Monte Carlo's eponymous perfume that costs more than twice as much.
Again, a 10 euros wonder in a 100 ml bottle. A hot and sweaty leather reminiscent ofAramis but warmer and without the green notes. This is spicy and rough, mature and sexual. However it still manages to smell classy. I imagine this only on a mature muscled man with a well groomed beard and a naughty look on his face. I've seen people comparing this to Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather but I think Monotheme is better, I'm sorry! This collection is unmissable, with another great one called Amber Wood, for the same price.
Again, Solinotes (10 euros 50 ml) wins my heart without hurting my wallet. It's not easy to find an orange flower themed perfume that has no distractions and smells natural. The ones that come close can be crazy expensive or too sophisticated likeSerge Lutens Fleurs d'Oranger. I mean I was looking for a pure and fresh Orange Blossom with a hint of carnal warm tone and some richness. Fragonard's Fleur d'Oranger is also an extraordinary scent and it costs only 35 euros for a 100 ml bottle.
Following my orange blossom craving, this is a sweet oriental version of it, slightly reminiscent of Gaultier 2 but better. This massive and heavy 125 ml bottle costs only 22 euros and it lasts a whole day on the skin, even more on clothes. It is so sensual, sweet, vanillary and warm ... Tonka bean is starring here in a very balanced and non-cloying way. It's not an elegant scent and maybe it pleases the younger crowd more than the mature perfumista, but still I can't resist it. Try it in the summer, it performs better in hot weather.
This is a classic in some countries of Europe and it seems dated for some people who used to wear it during the 90s. But to me it is the perfect olfactory translation of a day at the beach. This tuberose-vanilla combo with a suntan lotion feeling is so warm and tropical it heats my winter days and brings a smile to my face. The 19 euros pricetag for a 75 ml bottle helps a lot, too. Buy it at the airports, where you'll find it cheaper.
If you like tuberose and you find Robert Piguet's Fracas too pricey, get this one while you can still find it (it's discontinued but if you search the online outlets you can still buy it for 22 euros/30 ml). This sweet tuberose/gardenia combo is heavy and migraine inducer for some people but the musky and vanillary drydown will enchant the brave ones. Be very careful: one or two sprays maximum!
I'm sorry to repeat this name but Madonna has really nailed it wih this one. It has nothing to do with her first scent and it captures an ambered orchid drenched in benzoin and sandalwood without being a strong perfume. It is a paradox: with all these oriental notes it is still a very subtle fragrance, charged with an erotic element, a handful of fruit and some boozyness too. A hint of oud makes it fly off the skin but you wouldn't find out it has oud if you weren't told. Sweet, woody, resinous and warm—in a polite way. Get it while it can still be found. It costs only 20 euros for a 75 ml bottle.
Winner of a FiFi Award, this is a one-of-a-kind male fragrance that women can wear. A woody rose with black pepper that can convince even the rose haters. An absolutely elegant and subtle scent, so perfectly balanced and still sexy. It sits between a romantic date scent and an office safe smell. And it costs only 37 euros a 75 ml bottle.
Now don't look away so quickly. This is not the regular Charlie and it deserves a chance. It costs nothing (approximately 7 euros a 100 ml bottle) and it doesn't kill you with synthetic screechiness like I've seen some people commenting. To me it smells like a fresh spiced geranium chypre with a classical elegant vibe. Very unisex, too. It's freshness is really compelling and if modestly applied it brings a smile to my face like the first days of spring. Give it a chance. It won't destroy your bank account, after all.
Finally, and after writing about these 10, I found myself feeling guilty for not including these other two that I would highly recommend: Salvador Dali's Laguna for 18 euros a 30 ml bottle (please read Marlen's review that made me buy it again) and Victoria's Secret Amber Romance (13 euros for 30 ml), a sickly sweet amber that I am very attracted to. Do you agree with this selection? Can you help me find more (not so) guilty pleasures?
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